ROCKINGHAM — As Plaza Jam enters its fourth installment of the 2019 season, a new act will take the stage in downtown Rockingham.
North Tower Band will make their first appearance at Cole Plaza on Thursday, and according to City of Rockingham Events Director Kim Williams, the group is very popular in the southeast.
“This is the first time North Tower Band will be performing at Plaza Jam. They were recommended by several people and have a very large following,” said Williams.
The band features leader Larry Dean, who grew up playing accordions, organs, pianos or basically anything with a keyboard; Jeff Hinson, who has been with the band for almost a decade on saxophone and vocals; Johnny Hopkins, who started with The Villagers and The Embers before joining NT on trumpet; Mark Bost on drums, Tom Bagley on bass guitar and vocals; and Marty Gilbert on guitar and vocals.
According to the band’s website, North Tower has been one of the south’s great party bands for more than 35 years, providing the best in Top 40, beach, funk and oldies with sizzling brass, super vocals and a wide ranging repertoire.
Along with The Tonez back in May, North Tower Band represent new acts that Williams says people in this area want to see.
“We try to add a new band each year to keep the concert lineup interesting,” she said. “We’re excited to have North Tower Band and look forward to a great concert.”
As far as weather is concerned for Thursday’s outside performance, Williams said it’s still too early to call with some reports saying between a 40 and 50 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” said Williams. “Hopefully, that will change, and we’ll get the concert in. Fingers crossed.”
North Tower Band will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cole Plaza in downtown Rockingham, between City Hall and Leath Memorial Library.
